Overshoe.



G. L. HIGGINS.

OVERSHOE.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.11, 1905.

PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906.

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OVERSHOE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11. 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OVERSHOE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latented June 12, 1906.

Application filed August 11,1905. Serial No. 273,790.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES LEANDER HIG- GINS, of the city of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Overshoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

Myinvention relates particularly to rubber overshoes, although it can be applied with advantage to any shoe having a flexible opening.

The invention may be said briefly to con sist of a cylindrical spring carried by the wall of the shoe, preferably parallel to the sole thereof, and having a portion of its crosssection protruding into the interior of the shoe in the form of a bead, which, owing to the nature of the spring, is elastic in its longitudinal direction. Other features of the invention are set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

For full comprehension, however, of the invention reference must be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts, and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view, partlyin section, of a low-cut overshoe provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the overshoe, taken along the line of my improved retaining device. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of my improved retaining device with the ends connected by different means. Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional perspective view of a modified formof my improved bead; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view, partly in section, illustrating a lowcut overshoe with my improved retaining device therein and partly broken away.

The main feature of the invention consists of a cylindrical spring b, of diminutive crosssection. This spring is modified to suit different types of overshoes, and in any case it is preferable to locate it between the usual lining 0 and outer covering (1 and with a portion of its cross-section projecting into the interior of the shoe in the form of a bead, such bead being elastic in its longitudinal direction, and it may have its inner side beveled, as at m, and formed to present a horizontal bearing portion n, the object of the last-mentioned feature being to adapt said bead to fit into the space between the sole and upper of the boot or shoe upon which the overshoe is placed, although, if desired, such feature may be dispensed with withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention. The spring is preferably of a length to extend around the vamp to the quarter only, where it ends, and one convolution at each end of the spring is preferably looped, as at e, by being drawn or bent out, and a piece of twine f or length of other material is tied to one of these loops and run through and attached to the other, as shown in Fig. 3, thus constituting a substantially flat connectingstrand. This provides one means of connecting the'ends, and when the overshoe presents a portion say, for instance, a comparatively stiff heel (counter) of suflicient strength to enable the ends of the spring to be connected thereto means for connecting the ends together can be dispensed with.

Another means of connection consists of the wire at one end of the spring being straight, as at 3', and bent around the opposite end convolution, as at k, which is sprung out to receive it, (see Fig. 4,) thus also presenting a strand, effecting the connection, which will not detract appreciably from the flatness of the wall of the heel portion of the shoe.

In making overshoes provided with my invention the spring is preferably covered with a solution of rubber and allowed to dry before it is stretched around the lining upon the last; otherwise the operation is the same as heretofore'.

Overshoes made according to my invention have many advantages over'others at present known in that the elasticity thereof is not impaired, their holding power is enhanced, and the sides of their openings grip more tightly the shoes upon which they are placed. Another advantage is that they can be worn upon shoes of different sizes, because of the elasticity of the spring in its axial line. Furthermore, in any case it strengthens the edge of the opening, while the twine becomes flattened when the shoe is being made and remains so, thus reducing the wear of the por tions of wearing-apparel coming in contact therewith or damage to the outer rubber covering of the overshoe.

What I claim is as follows:

1. A rubber overshoe having an expansible cylindrical spring embedded therein and extending in a continuous length from one side to the other around the front thereof and means whereby the tensile strain of such spring is transmitted to the rear portion of the overshoe.

2. A shoe having its opening encircled by an expansible cylindrical spring with its ends connected by a flexible device to form a loop, for the purpose set forth.

3. In an overshoe means for retaining the same upon a boot or shoe, consisting of a de vice presenting an interiorly-protruding bead extending around the vamp, and a flat por tion extending around the heel portion of the shoe.

4:. In an overshoe means for retaining the same upon a boot or shoe, consisting of an elastic metallic device presenting an interiorly-protruding bead extending around the vamp and a straight strand connected to the ends of the elastic metallic device and extending around the heel portion of the shoe.

5. In an overshoe, means for retaining the same upon a boot or shoe, consisting of an expansible cylindrical spring having its end convolutions bent to form loops, and a flexible strand connecting such loops together, for the purpose set forth.

6. In an overshoe, means for retaining the same upon a boot or shoe, consisting of an expanslble cylindrical spring of inwardly-tapered cross-section and having its end convolutions bent to form loops, and a flexible v strand connecting such loops together, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES LEAN DER HIGGINS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM P. MoFEAT, FRED. J. SEARS. 

